Le Lapin Blanc

The name of this hotel ("the white rabbit") provides a clue to its Wonderland-themed interior, designed by architect Rémi Chevrillon and artist Anaïs Albar. The blink-and-you’ll-miss-it front door doubles as a metaphoric rabbit hole, beyond which guests step through the looking glass -- or at least they walk beside one since a floor-to-ceiling mirror, inscribed with a quote from Lewis Carroll, runs the length of the narrow entry hall. This lends an illusion of space but can’t conceal how tiny Le Lapin Blanc's tiled, pastel-colored reception area really is. A few steps from it, an equally little lounge contains a pair of Eames-ish armchairs, a matching settee, Alice-inspired art and artifacts, plus a guest computer. The only other common area is the basement breakfast room; however, that doesn’t seem to bother the romance-seeking hipsters who happily retreat to the privacy of its Instagram-able guest rooms.

Le Lapin Blanc is wedged between two storefronts on Boulevard Saint-Michel, the Latin Quarter’s main commercial artery. Lined with shops and eateries, the boulevard bustles day and night, but the hotel’s proximity to the Luxembourg Gardens means that it's easy to find a quiet escape. The Musée National du Moyen Âge (home to the famed Lady and the Unicorn tapestries) is only three minutes away on foot, and the Seine is just a quick six-minute walk north; bridges spanning it take pedestrians to top stops on Île de la Cité, including Notre Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chapelle, in 10 minutes. Half a dozen metro stations are also within a 10-minute trek on foot -- the closest being Cluny-La Sorbonne, which is a mere five minutes away.

• Three-minute walk to Musée National du Moyen Age (aka The Cluny Museum)
• Four-minute walk to the Luxembourg Gardens
• Five-minute walk to the Cluny-La Sorbonne Metro Station
• Seven-minute walk to the Pantheon
• 10-minute walk to Sainte Chapelle 
• 10-minute walk to Notre Dame Cathedral
• 12 minutes to Gare Du Nord (Eurostar) via public transport
• 17 minutes to the Louvre Museum via public transport
• 25 minutes to the Arc de Triomphe via public transport
• 31 minutes to the Eiffel Tower via public transport
• 31-minute drive to Orly Airport 
• 35-minute drive to Charles de Gaulle International Airport 

Although inspired by a kids’ lit classic written in the 19th century, this hotel has grown-up appeal and an up-to-date look. Rooms vary widely in terms of size (the smallest are just 140 square-feet; the largest, which have dedicated seating areas, are 430). Each of the hotel’s six floors showcases a different color, creating soothing retreats in hues like shell-pink, pearl-gray, and cafe-au-lait. All rooms are airy and share common design elements -- custom-made wallpaper and Scandinavian-style furniture among them. Not surprisingly, bunny motifs also abound (note the cute porcelain mugs with their cottontail handles); retro touches, like the rotary princess phones, add yet another layer of playfulness.

The soft, powdery palette of the decor is offset with natural oak accents, and monochromatic fabrics keep rooms from seeming overly feminine. Bathrooms are equally stylish often with matte-white soaking tubs or walk-in showers right in the sleeping area. (Toilets, thankfully, remain separate.) Other in-room features include air-conditioning, soundproofed windows, flat-screen TVs with international channels, minibars, tea/coffee-making facilities, Le Lapin Blanc-branded toiletries, monogrammed towels, and free Wi-Fi. Some rooms include wrought-iron Juliet balconies that look out over the street scene.

There is no getting around the fact that Le Lapin Blanc is stripped down when it comes to features. Indeed, the list of common spaces doesn’t extend past the little lobby and the basement breakfast room. The former contains a 24-hour reception desk plus a tiny lounge area with reading material and a guest computer. The latter is a stylish room with a retro Smeg fridge, Scandinavian-style chairs and tables designed by Quantic Studio. Note that the Continental breakfast buffet served in it daily is free for guests who book directly through the hotel website. 

Despite the overall romantic vibe, children are welcome; both family rooms and connecting rooms are available. Discounts are offered to any guest making reservations either through the hotel’s website or Facebook page; a cultural package (which includes breakfast and a Paris Museum pass) may appeal to cost-conscious travelers as well. Other on-site perks include concierge service, dry cleaning/laundry service, room service, and free Wi-Fi throughout.